MY 10/23/10 WEDDING REVIEW!!! JT, Patken, Starlight Express, Pedestals, and more with pics!

It’s so hard starting this review because there is sooooo much going through my head about how amazing my wedding day was! I’ve never had such a good time and truly feel that DH and I are blessed!! If I leave anything out just FM me and I’ll tell you all about it with pics if I have. It’s kinda all over the place, but I hope it helps. Writing this made me realize how much I miss my wedding day. Truely the most amazing day of my life. I love my DH, my family, and my friends who stood by me on that day! LOVE my BMs!!



Many thanks to all the LIW brides who helped with ideas, hilarious posts, lending an ear, and everything else you wonderful women do!! This site has been a life and sanity saver since I joined and I’m kinda sad I won’t be posting wedding related things much anymore. Good luck to all the future brides. Don’t let anything or anyone spoil your day…it will zoom by before you know it. A MAJOR WORD OF ADVISE: GET A VIDEOGRAPHER!!! I fought DH over this because I always hated having to sit and watch peoples videos and didn’t think we could afford it. So much went down from my father and grandfather TEARING the dance floor up to my new nephew doing a crazy dance during his reception entrance that I missed and am so happy that friends caught it on video. I can only imagine what the professional one will be like. Big points to DH for sticking to his guns!!!!

Wedding Bands- A
NoHaku (my band)- I had a heck of a time finding a band that fit well with my pear e-ring. I don’t even think my ring is a traditional “wedding” band but it’s perfect. It has a criss cross design that dips in the right spot for my pear’s bottom to fit right into the nook. My e-ring is pretty big in my opinion (an heirloom) so the wedding ring helps tone it down a bit.
Italian Designs at Cross County- DH didn’t want a ring at first because he doesn’t wear jewelry. He found a very simple band at Cross County and loves it.

Jericho Terrace: A+
The only thing that went “wrong” was that they gave the wrong appetizer...I was kinda looking forward to the new one we chose, but who cares! From the moment I walked in I felt like a Queen. My attendants Naomi and Billy were AMAZING! They never let me lift a finger. I’d told my Matre’d (half jokingly) during our final meeting that I needed Pepsi. I’m a Pepsi-holic and strongly believe in there being a major difference between Pepsi and Coke. I’ll drink a Coke if I have no other choice, but NOTHING compares to an ice cold Pepsi! It’s my drug of choice. I brought my own can with me that morning just because I knew they served Coke products. When I walked into the suite I was surprised and elated to see cans of Pepsi lined up waiting for me to crack them open!! Thank you JT for getting me Pepsi Wasted on my wedding day!!!!!!!!!!! They fixed my dress, bustled me up, got me in and out on time and I love them for it. The ceremony room was a dream!! The sun came through the skylight perfectly!







The food….major regret was that I was soooo on cloud 9 that I neglected to pay attention to CH food!! I didn’t get to try half of the goodies JT had in store. Everyone raved about the empanadas and even some of the Haitian dishes (DH is Haitian and we wanted to honor his culture but was worried about an Italian catering hall preparing griot and bannan lol). I don’t remember what I nibbled on…it was great…but not the stuff I’d planned on trying in my mind. No fault of anyone but my own. I’d tried the fried artichokes during a tasting and fell in love. I’m gonna ask a future JT bride if DH and I can come to their cocktail hour! I told my SIL and she said she and BIL wanna come too! LOL! Any takers????? Dinner was delicious. Everyone loved their dishes as far as I know. I had the salmon which was yummy and nibbled at DH’s steak which was good too.

Yes we had a VH!!! Another regret was that I was so all over the place talking etc that I didn’t get VH wasted!! ? I did provide take home boxes which guests almost died when they saw lol. So I did eat what my mom took home. The cotton candy machine was a hit with the kids as well as a number of adults. My SIL raved about some banana and icecream thingy they were making at one side of the table. I saw crème brule, popcorn machine, rainbow cookies, carrot cake, canollis, and lots of other yummy goodies!! My cake was chocolate with cannolli cream and chocolate ganashe filling……DELICIOUS!!!!!!!!! I’d always wanted a chocolate wedding cake and I’m happy Linda suggested it.







DIY Menu and favors a la DH!! He also did the escort cards…to pay honor to our African heritage we used Adinkra symbols from West Africa as a theme. The ice sculpture was Sankofa, escort cards and table numbers were all symbols and had the meanings on them as well. I loved it.



JT was a dream! Absolutely fabulous. The terrace (I think that’s the smaller CH room?) and penthouse rooms were gorgeous! I didn’t see any other events going on (I also didn’t leave the reception room so I really don’t know if others noticed…probably crossings in the bathrooms etc). I just wish we could have stayed longer. But right on time our Matre’d Louis had our things packed up and ready to go…we weren’t rushed and I was happy I didn’t have to pack anything up…just change from my gown and go.


Pedestals: A

My flowers were gorgeous. I had no problems with Pedestals and Nadia, even after adding 4 extra tables/centerpieces less than a week before the wedding and paying 3 days before. Not a stink attitude in sight. The only thing was that we were missing my grandmothers wrist corsage. I didn’t find out til the next day when SIL said she gave gma hers when she realized she didn’t have one. No biggie. The centerpieces and BM BoK’s complimented my BMs gowns and I couldn’t have been happier. My BOK was a dream!!!!!!! Nothing wilted at all. It was prettier than I could have ever imagined. I’m glad that I gave Pedestals a lot of creative freedom because my flowers were perfect. My mom put it in vases around her house afterwards and said it lasted about a week before she tossed them. So impressed. I think they cost a pretty penny, but flowers were a top priority for me and was worth the cost.

The spread that was over the alter was put at our Dias table and was sooo big! I think we actually left it behind because we had no room for it. I remember encouraging leaving guests to take flowers home from the alter spread lol. The only thing I would have changed looking at pics is that the flowers on the Dias table were so big as well that in the the pics of the toast, DH and I are somewhat blocked. I would have rather had the BM and my BOK as the flower display on the Dias. I think they were big and beautiful enough to do the job…but everything was still wonderful.









Starlight Express: A++ FAVORITE VENDOR!

Our biggest desire was to have the reception feel like a major party. I wanted people to dance like they were in the hottest club, and that’s exactly what they did. Even my father and grandfather got down…they were the highlight of the wedding LOL! DJ Enzo was everything I was hoping he’d be. He kept the dance floor packed! There was only one problem in that something happened (I believe either with the electricity or their wireless connection…idk) and they couldn’t find the Kompa song DH wanted to dance with his mom to. I’d definitely given them the music list a couple of days before the wedding (The music selection process was the bane of my whole wedding planning process…I’m so indecisive!) My DOC whispered to me what happened and we easily switched it up and had a great dance. DH and I neglected to put it on CD with the other Haitian music. Oh well, they still had a beautiful dance.

My biggest surprise was our MC, Koko (Chris). I’d read nothing but negative LIW reviews about him and was becoming paranoid. He seemed kinda animated on the phone and I was scared he’d be cheesy…and my guests can be brutal LOL. He came up with this awesome game for the centerpiece that had guests dancing around the table for dollars then dancing on the chairs!! DH and I were rolling watching who’d be the one getting up on the chair. HILARIOUS! He also switched the Bok catcher with my poor grandmother LMAO!!! That garter catcher came blindfolded towards his “fiancé” (who’d caught the bok) on his knees to “Poison” by BBD, and the whole party erupted!! The look on his face when we un-blindfolded his eyes!!! Even funnier was that my grandfather had ended up right besides my grandmother watching like her bodyguard or something! Definitely still has people talking. Koko and Enzo did an absolutely amazing job and met my highest expectations. I took forever to finish deciding on music and Startlight (Mike) was nothing but patient and never rushed me even when it was less than a week and I hadn’t chosen procession music! I heard from a family member later on that the cocktail hour music was really really low towards the back of the room. I didn’t get to my cocktail hour, so idk…but no one else either noticed or cared.

We also got zap shots from Starlight and let me tell you….THEY WERE AMAZING!!! They were actually better than my professional ones! We got the CD at the end of the night which included ceremony and reception shots. It was sooooo nice to have 300+ wedding pics the night of our wedding!!!! I didn’t even notice the zap shooter so I can’t believe the shots she got! I wish we’d tipped her more! All of the pics in this review are either zap shot or from guests…majority are zaps.

My wedding was a party!!!! From reception entrance to last dance and I couldn’t have asked for more!!











HAHAHA! My baby was feeling the music!!






GO DADDY!!!! LOL!!!

Even my grandfather got busy!!!!



THE COMEDY OF THE NIGHT…SWITCHING THE BOK CATCHER WITH MY GRANDMOTHER!











Patken Photographer (Lindenhurst, ny)- B

I guess I got what I asked for. I got my proofs back and out of 466 shots, only about 100-150 are original and not duplicates of what my zap shooter got. I guess that’s not his fault, but I think I was expecting so much more from my professional shots. I honestly think the zap shots were so good it ruined it for the professional shots. Maybe if I didn’t get the zap shots I’d be happier? Now, the ones that are original like my portraits, DH and I posing, and my BP shots are gorgeous…but the rest I feel like I’ve seen since the wedding. Even some guest shots are almost identical. We did get the basic package and it was hard to chose just 24 out of 466 shots. IDK. I guess I was expecting more. My photog was really nice, but there wasn’t much creativity in the final shots. I didn’t guide the shoots the day of because I was on cloud 9, but I guess I wish I’d directed it more. It just sucks that we paid all that money just to get about 150 shots that we didn’t already get in the zap shots from our DJ. I don’t know if its them or me. I won’t complain though…the 150 original are very nice. There were only 3 pics out of the bunch that I thought were appropriate for a thank you card as well…that was somewhat disappointing.


Esquire Tuxedos (Merrick, NY)- A

My SIL recommended Esquire since she’d used them a few years earlier with another wedding. Mike was a pleasure to work with and was very accommodating. We switched DH’s tux at the last minute and everything worked out fine…even picking them up (DH’s included) the night before the wedding and getting them adjusted on the spot. The guys looked great and we were all satisfied. Mike is very friendly and helpful. The only thing I wish is that they had a larger selection. DH wasn’t happy with my choice of his suit in the beginning but he was going to deal with it…I was tired of seeing the puppy dog face so I told him to go change it for what he wanted. I actually HATED the suit he chose. I talked him into getting his original first choice, even though my dad had chosen the same suit the week before. DH didn’t want to wear what my dad was wearing but decided to since he really liked it. I didn’t even notice they had identical suits. They both looked really really good and the suit looked different on the two of them. I wish there was just one other suit that caught my eye in the store. A great vendor to work with.



David’s Bridal (Westbury, NY)- B+ (service) A+ (finding my dress and other accessories easily)

Idk why so many people doubt DB? I know it’s not a Kleinfelds or shee-shee-foo-foo boutique, but they have a lot of really nice dresses at great prices. I got mine on sale for around $800! If you’re looking for saleswomen to gush over you and be at your beck and call, then go elsewhere lol. But I wasn’t necessarily looking for that. My gown was the third gown I’d ever tried on and I stopped when I found it. One of my bms went with me and picked it out. At first I thought it was ugly (on the rack) but she pushed me to try it and it’s like time stopped! Everyone in the store stopped what they were doing to comment and stare at it. The sample fit perfectly and I was in heaven! It was Oleg Cassini crl 277 in Ivory. I should have ordered one size up though. I was so hyped (and vain) that the size 6 fit perfectly that I ordered it…not taking into account that I’d been sick almost all year and lost about 20 pounds (not a sexy 20 either…too skinny). By the wedding I’d gotten healthier and gained most if not all back and had to get it taken out. My gowns fit was a constant anxiety and looking at some pics I do wish Id gotten it bigger and taken it in instead of having to take it out but I still looked and actually felt beautiful. And FEELING beautiful is soooo important…it washes most other worries away! I felt like a Queen and my dress was a major part. The lace was a must and was beautiful and the mermaid shape gave me a waist and hips. So sexy!

I also found the RB pillow, garter, and FG basket at DB. We got some BM and the Jr BM shoes dyed there too. I was not happy with the results since the finished color was a lot lighter than the sample and my girls wore eggplant. I guess this can happen with dying…idk. They gave my BM a hard time about redying the shoes in an attempt to darken them more so she took them somewhere else to get them darkened.




Alterations: Antoinette's Cleaners & Custom Dressmakers (Ridgewood, NY)- A

Like I mentioned, I’d been sick and my weight was fluctuating dramatically. I decided to wait until the very last minute to get my alterations for fear of my weight changing after. Unfortunately, the first person I took my dress to became very ill and could not finish the work. I was a nervous wreck because this was about 3-4 weeks before the wedding. My mother got Antoinette’s number from a coworker who’d been using her for years. She was a doll! Very sweet and accommodating. She did a wonderful job on my dress and helped ease my weight change anxieties. Loved my double French bustle. Held all night and was easy for the attendants to work with. The work was quality and she was ALWAYS in the shop working so I wasn’t worried when last minute changes needed to be done. I think my mom and I are going to go back to get some items tailored…which we never do, but we really like her work.



Veil: My favorite Aunt! A++++++++
Love her and loved it!




Dazzling Affairs Wedding and Event Planners (Mineola, NY)- A+

Love Francesca!!! Love love love! We were provided with her planning services for free when we booked with JT. We ended up paying for her DOC services as well because I wanted absolutely no knowledge of drama or troubles the day of. I’d read too many stories about brides having to deal with issues the day of and knew that I couldn’t deal with it. Francesca was there to take care of all the vendors and guest issues and ensure I had the day of my dreams. She helped get us ready at my house that morning while her assistant went to DH’s mom’s house to help with the guys. She made sure things ran smoothly and I couldn’t have asked for more. She also helped us order our invites at a discount. She was always available by phone or email and I often stopped by for planning advice and support. She and her entire team are wonderful. Not everyone needs a DOC, especially if your RH handles things well…but it was helpful to know that I had that extra back up.

Francesca in the back fixing me up



Her assistant Kristin with the guys




Rukiya of Abebi Beauty- Makeup- A+

A true talent. Rukiya is a personal friend of mine and I’ve used her in the past for weddings and other events. I really don’t wear makeup aside from lip gloss and mascara (maybe). Rukiya airbrushed by face and made me look beautiful. She played on my eggplant theme with plum tones and it came out beautifully. I don’t know how many compliments I got on my eyes that day and they looked amazing in the pictures. Rukiya is sooooo talented and I think her prices are much lower than what I’ve heard people paid for their day of makeup. She was also a guest at the wedding, in case I needed any touch ups…the only thing I touched up that day was lip gloss…that’s how great my makeup was. I really felt beautiful!

Re: MY 10/23/10 WEDDING REVIEW!!! JT, Patken, Starlight Express, Pedestals, and more with pics!

Congratulations! Everything looks beautiful and your wedding looks like so much fun!!!

Re: MY 10/23/10 WEDDING REVIEW!!! JT, Patken, Starlight Express, Pedestals, and more with pics!

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Posted by mariedsgn

Congratulations! Everything looks beautiful and your wedding looks like so much fun!!!

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Thanks! It was so much fun!!

Re: MY 10/23/10 WEDDING REVIEW!!! JT, Patken, Starlight Express, Pedestals, and more with pics!

Everything looks gorgeous!!!

Re: MY 10/23/10 WEDDING REVIEW!!! JT, Patken, Starlight Express, Pedestals, and more with pics!

Aw yay so happy for you! So good to read :)

Re: MY 10/23/10 WEDDING REVIEW!!! JT, Patken, Starlight Express, Pedestals, and more with pics!

Congrats!!

Re: MY 10/23/10 WEDDING REVIEW!!! JT, Patken, Starlight Express, Pedestals, and more with pics!

Congrats and thanks for a great review.

Re: MY 10/23/10 WEDDING REVIEW!!! JT, Patken, Starlight Express, Pedestals, and more with pics!

great review!!! i have a criss-cross wedding band too! would love to see yours if you have a pic? i love that Hawaiian store. i should have looked there!

love everything! stay blessed

Re: MY 10/23/10 WEDDING REVIEW!!! JT, Patken, Starlight Express, Pedestals, and more with pics!

Thanks for sharing with us!!

Re: MY 10/23/10 WEDDING REVIEW!!! JT, Patken, Starlight Express, Pedestals, and more with pics!

Congratulations! Looks like you had a beautiful day!

You looked beautiful in your dress! I am your dress twin I have to say we made a great pick!

Much happiness to you!!

Re: MY 10/23/10 WEDDING REVIEW!!! JT, Patken, Starlight Express, Pedestals, and more with pics!

What a great review!! Everything looks amazing and you made one gorgeous bride!!! Congrats!!!

Re: MY 10/23/10 WEDDING REVIEW!!! JT, Patken, Starlight Express, Pedestals, and more with pics!

Great review! You look BEAUTIFUL, I totally agree that there are some beautiful dresses at DB (yours included!). Those dance pictures are priceless! Looks like you and your DH had a great wedding!

Re: MY 10/23/10 WEDDING REVIEW!!! JT, Patken, Starlight Express, Pedestals, and more with pics!

thanks for the review! you look gorgeous!!!!!!! I love your dress! congrats!

Re: MY 10/23/10 WEDDING REVIEW!!! JT, Patken, Starlight Express, Pedestals, and more with pics!

Congrats! Loved your review!

Re: MY 10/23/10 WEDDING REVIEW!!! JT, Patken, Starlight Express, Pedestals, and more with pics!

Great review..love the pics

Re: MY 10/23/10 WEDDING REVIEW!!! JT, Patken, Starlight Express, Pedestals, and more with pics!

Congrats.. Thanks for your review. You looked gorgeous!!

Re: MY 10/23/10 WEDDING REVIEW!!! JT, Patken, Starlight Express, Pedestals, and more with pics!

great review, you look amazing!!!

Re: MY 10/23/10 WEDDING REVIEW!!! JT, Patken, Starlight Express, Pedestals, and more with pics!

What a wonderful review! Your wedding was not only beautiful but it looked like so much fun. I'm sure your guest had a blast. Excatly the vibe I'm going for. Congrats once again on a beautiful wedding.

Re: MY 10/23/10 WEDDING REVIEW!!! JT, Patken, Starlight Express, Pedestals, and more with pics!

I love you BM dresses! where are they from??

Re: MY 10/23/10 WEDDING REVIEW!!! JT, Patken, Starlight Express, Pedestals, and more with pics!

annddd your dress is beautiful!! <3 looks like you had a great time!